DENNIS ROBINSON ON HOUSING HOMELESS @ TRAVELLER’S INN: ‘City could buy similar properties on market with million of dollars it would save refurbishing JOHNSON STREET BRIDGE’

The news that one of eight Traveller’s Inn properties up for sale has found a buyer who wants to use it to address the homeless problem is a Christmas story if there ever was one.

The 27-unit motel could be converted to use very quickly if the rezoning for long-term stay is approved by the City.

The $1.376-million paid for the inn could be the start of more properties for the homeless if the City would fast-track this application with the same speed and determination that they have applied to the bridge replacement.

Not only that, the City could buy similar properties on the market with the millions of dollars it would save by refurbishing the Johnson Street Bridge, rather than rushing to replacing it.

The City Council was elected a year ago on promises to help to solve the homeless problem, not on replacing the bridge.